After Mom and Richard left, the house was oddly empty. I stayed in my bedroom, watching the television and constantly using my phone for most of the evening. Weekends back at my hometown were so much better. Eloise and I always went out, we hung out with friends, we were basically together the entire time. We went to so many festivals, carnivals and movie screenings. Going to a mall back then was an experience in itself. But everything I enjoyed before now seemed boring and insignificant, especially without Eloise. I couldn't even imagine going out alone at evening, or doing anything that wasn't a chore. I tried to distract myself with a movie, something light and comedic, hoping it would lift my spirits. But the laughter felt forced, the jokes flat, and my attention kept drifting. I fo